MINUTES
| PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY November 20, 2023 |
HYBRID MEETING FLAGSTAFF AQUAPLEX AND MICROSOFT TEAMS 1702 N. FOURTH STREET 4:00 P.M. |
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ROLL CALL
| NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means. |
| PRESENT: Stephen Parsons (Co-Chair) Autumn Layden Austin Kerr Ryan Martin Sandy Heath Micah Smith Josh Stackhouse - joined shortly after roll call |
STAFF AND OTHERS: Koren Brown - Admin Specialist Tiffany Antol – Zoning Code Manager Amy Hagin – Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Crystal Warden-Gant – Recreation Supervisor Tyrone Johnson – Recreation Manager NOT PRESENT: Councilmember Deborah Harris - Council Liaison |
3.
Land Acknowledgment
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
4.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Austin motioned for approval; Commissioner Smith seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously.
5.
Public Comment
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – This portion of the meeting is for items that are NOT on the agenda. The Commission cannot act on items presented during the public participation of the agenda. The Commission is prohibited by the open meeting law from discussing or considering the item until the item is officially placed on an agenda. Please limit comments to five minutes.
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – This portion of the meeting is for items that are NOT on the agenda. The Commission cannot act on items presented during the public participation of the agenda. The Commission is prohibited by the open meeting law from discussing or considering the item until the item is officially placed on an agenda. Please limit comments to five minutes.
There was no public comment.
6.
Introduction of newest Commission Member, Sandy Heath
Commissioner Heath is a year-and-a-half resident looking forward to getting involved with our parks and recreation commission.
7.
Residential Use in Public Facility Zone - Zoning Code - Tiffany Antol
Analyzing code amendments focusing on housing and climate. Proposed amendment to the Zoning Code to add single family, duplex, and multiple family dwellings as permitted uses in Public Facility Zone. This follows a Council adopted resolution from last year that authorizes the Housing Section with First Right of Refusal should the City vacate a property or building.
There are currently 181 parcels in Flagstaff within the Public Facility Zone, of which the City owns 40%. NAU owns 29% of the properties in the zone and are not required to comply with the City Ordinance. FUSD owns 9%. There has been a discussion with FUSD to potentially add some form of housing to one of their sites in the future. Other government entities retain 12%, while the remainder is privately owned.
Council would direct what to do with parcels that could be used for residential housing. Current Council is aware of the Parks and Rec 5-year plan and this amendment does not interfere with that plan.
The objective would be to prioritize housing for buildings/parcels that might be abandoned by the city, while attempting to accommodate housing with carbon neutrality. This housing initiative is a top two directive with climate emergency.
There are currently 181 parcels in Flagstaff within the Public Facility Zone, of which the City owns 40%. NAU owns 29% of the properties in the zone and are not required to comply with the City Ordinance. FUSD owns 9%. There has been a discussion with FUSD to potentially add some form of housing to one of their sites in the future. Other government entities retain 12%, while the remainder is privately owned.
Council would direct what to do with parcels that could be used for residential housing. Current Council is aware of the Parks and Rec 5-year plan and this amendment does not interfere with that plan.
The objective would be to prioritize housing for buildings/parcels that might be abandoned by the city, while attempting to accommodate housing with carbon neutrality. This housing initiative is a top two directive with climate emergency.
8.
Recreation Updates Hal Jensen Recreation Center
Crystal Warden-Gant presented to the Commission about Hal Jensen Recreation Center (HJRC). The recreation center provides free daily drop-in programs at HJRC and a weight room with low-cost membership for the community. The recreation center provides a free lunch for youth 18 and under in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank. Programming includes the youth basketball season which is underway with approximately 200 kids ranging 2nd-8th grades. This program is in partnership with the Phoenix Suns.
9.
Park Hour Updates
This update was specific to all parks and their permitted hours plus the lighting on the sport courts at Thorpe and Bushmaster Parks. The current park hours are Sunday - Thursday 5:30-22:00, and Friday and Saturday 5:30-24:00. Council has approved the new park hours to be sunrise to 22:00 for park hours with sport court lighting to end at 21:00 7 days/week, effective December 7.
10.
Ponderosa Trails Park Playground
It was established two years ago as an objective to replace playground equipment at the rate of one piece of equipment per year, by priority. The Division has programmed $150,000 per fiscal year to replace playground structures. The structure at Ponderosa Trails Park is top priority for replacement. There are 3 concept designs that have been presented to the subdivisions’ HOA via an email blast. Based on the results of the subdivisions’ vote, Option 2 is the clear winner. There were 295/700 responses. The community requests more swings to be considered of which staff will evaluate.
11.
City Council Liaison Report - Councilmember Deborah Harris
There was no report.
12.
Reports – Monthly highlights of Parks and Recreation, Open Space, and Events
Notable stats: Over 700k annual users counted by 11 counters placed around FUTS trail. The data of the trail counters helps to direct projects and funding. There were 16k logged public skate visits.
13.
Informational items to and from Commissioners and Staff
Dates for upcoming meetings TBD. The next meeting will be December 18.
14.
Agenda Items for next meeting
- Pickleball court update
- Westside Park update
- 5-year plan refresher
- Rec supervisor update – Jay Lively
- Identify January and February 2024 Commission dates along with Open Space Commission combination meeting.
15.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:27 pm.